Bad luck leads to wedding opportunity

A QUEENSLAND Rail train driver whose wedding plans were unexpectedly brought forward due to family illness celebrated his nuptials in a photoshoot with prized heritage steam train, the 'Dawnie Express', at Toowoomba station.

Terminal illness meant Shannon Partridge, a seasoned train driver, and his now-wife Danielle, had to move their wedding forward as far as possible so that both the mother of the bride, who suffers from cancer, and the mother of the groom, who has Huntington's disease, could be a part of the big day.

Mr Partridge said the last minute change of date not only allowed them to celebrate with their mothers - who were both too ill to travel, but joined them via live-streaming - but it also happened to coincide with the Dawnie Express steam train trip from Brisbane to Charleville.

It was a picture perfect coincidence for the train-loving couple.

"We had originally planned to get married in the New Year, but unfortunately life doesn't always go to plan, and due to our mothers' illness we decided to move the ceremony forward so that they could both be a part of our special day," Mr Partridge said.

"We had booked a trip on-board the steam train between Brisbane and Roma before we planned the wedding, so after we decided to bring it forward, we thought, what better way to commemorate our marriage than by getting our wedding photos with this beautiful, heritage steam train while it is stopped in Toowoomba?"

"My family has a long history with the railways, being a fourth-generation railway worker myself, so it was actually incredibly fitting to get our photos with the very steam train that will now whisk us away to Roma.

"We wanted things to be as positive as possible considering the situation with our mothers, so the fact that they were able to see us be married, while also being able to get beautiful photos with the steam train, really added a silver lining to the event."

Queensland Rail Senior Manager Train Service Delivery, Michael Skinner, said it was a pleasure to accommodate the newlyweds' wedding plans.

"As a loyal employee, Shannon's request to get photos with the heritage steam train before joining it for the journey into Roma was definitely something we wanted to pursue for him," said Mr Skinner.

"Due to logistics, it's not something we would normally be able to facilitate, but I guess fate had its way with the wedding date coinciding with the Dawnie Express' trip - a truly impressive steam engine - and we were able to do that for them.

"We know how much this means to both Shannon and Danielle, and were more than happy to contribute to their special day.

"We wish them a long and happy marriage, and hope they enjoy their trip on-board the Dawnie Express!"